Compound semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor

ABSTRACT

An HEMT includes, on an SiC substrate, a compound semiconductor layer, a silicon nitride (SiN) protective film having an opening and covering the compound semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode formed on the compound semiconductor layer so as to plug the opening. In the protective film, a projecting portion projecting from a side surface of the opening is formed at a lower layer portion  6   a.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/555,420, filed Jul. 23, 2012, which application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-215198, filed on Sep. 29, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to a compound semiconductor device and a manufacturing method for the compound semiconductor device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Development of a nitride semiconductor device as a high-voltage, high-power semiconductor device by taking advantage of features such as a high saturated electron velocity and a wide band gap is active and ongoing. Nitride semiconductor devices include field-effect transistors. There have been numerous reports on field-effect transistors, particularly high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Among HEMTs, an AlGaN/GaN HEMT using GaN in an electron transit layer and AlGaN in an electron supply layer is attracting attention. In an AlGaN/GaN HEMT, distortion occurs in AlGaN due to the difference in lattice constants between GaN and AlGaN. Piezoelectric polarization resulting from the distortion and spontaneous polarization of AlGaN lead to formation of a high concentration of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Accordingly, high voltage and high power can be achieved. [0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2009-524242

Operating voltage needs to be increased in a nitride semiconductor device for high output and high frequency applications, such as an AlGaN/GaN HEMT, to obtain high power. An increase in operating voltage, however, increases the electric field strength at and around a gate electrode and causes deterioration in device characteristics (chemical and physical changes). In order to enhance the reliability of a high-power nitride semiconductor device, it is essential to inhibit deterioration in device characteristics caused by a high electric field at and around a gate electrode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a compound semiconductor device includes a compound semiconductor layer, a silicon nitride protective film having an opening and covering the compound semiconductor layer, and an electrode formed on the compound semiconductor layer so as to plug the opening. A lower layer portion of the protective film includes a portion (a projecting portion) projecting from a side surface of the opening.

An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a compound semiconductor device includes forming a silicon nitride protective film on a compound semiconductor layer, forming an opening in the protective film, and forming an electrode on the compound semiconductor layer so as to plug the opening. The forming the opening includes forming the opening such that a lower layer portion of the protective film includes a projecting portion projecting from a side surface of the opening.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic sectional views illustrating, in the order of steps, a method for manufacturing a Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic sectional views illustrating, in the order of steps, the method for manufacturing the Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment, following FIGS. 1A to 10;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic sectional views illustrating, in the order of steps, the method for manufacturing the Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment, following FIGS. 2A to 2C;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a part of a passivation film formed in the step in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a part of an opening in the passivation film formed in the step in FIG. 2B;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphs illustrating results of checking characteristics of three terminals of the AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment on the basis of comparison with an AlGaN/GaN HEMT with the above-described conventional structure including the conventional passivation film;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic sectional views illustrating main steps of a method for manufacturing a Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a part of a passivation film formed in the step in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a part of an opening in the passivation film formed in the step in FIG. 7B;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs illustrating results of checking characteristics of three terminals of the AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the second embodiment on the basis of comparison with the AlGaN/GaN HEMT with the above-described conventional structure including the conventional passivation film;

FIG. 11 is a connection diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a power supply unit according to a third embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a connection diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a high-frequency amplifier according to a fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Configurations of a compound semiconductor device will be described together with methods for manufacturing the compound semiconductor device in the embodiments below.

Note that, in the drawings, some components may not be illustrated with correct relative sizes and thicknesses for illustrative convenience.

First Embodiment

The present embodiment discloses a Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT as a compound semiconductor device.

FIGS. 1A to 3B are schematic sectional views illustrating, in the order of steps, a method for manufacturing a Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a compound semiconductor layer 2 which is a compound semiconductor laminated structure is first formed on, for example, a semi-insulating SiC substrate 1 as a growth substrate. The compound semiconductor layer 2 includes a buffer layer 2 a, an electron transit layer 2 b, an intermediate layer 2 c, an electron supply layer 2 d, and a cap layer 2 e. In an AlGaN/GaN HEMT, two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is generated near an interface between the electron transit layer 2 b and the electron supply layer 2 d (the intermediate layer 2 c to be exact).

More specifically, the compound semiconductors below are grown on the SiC substrate 1 by, e.g., metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) or the like may be used instead of MOVPE.

AlN, i-GaN (intentionally undoped GaN), i-AlGaN, n-AlGaN, and n-GaN are deposited in order on the SiC substrate 1. With this process, the buffer layer 2 a, electron transit layer 2 b, intermediate layer 2 c, electron supply layer 2 d, and cap layer 2 e are stacked and formed. The growth conditions for AlN, GaN, and AlGaN are that a gaseous mixture of trimethyl aluminum gas, trimethyl gallium gas, and ammonia gas is used as a source gas, that whether to supply trimethyl aluminum gas as an Al source and trimethyl gallium gas as a Ga source and the flow rates of the gases are appropriately set according to a compound semiconductor layer to be grown, that the flow rates of ammonia gas as a common material are about 100 sccm to 10 slm, that the growth pressures for AlN, GaN, and AlGaN are about 50 to 300 Torr, and that the growth temperatures are about 1000 to 1200.degree. C.

When GaN (or AlGaN) is to be grown as n-type, for example, SiH₄ gas containing an n-type impurity such as Si is added to a source gas at a predetermined flow rate, and GaN (or AlGaN) is doped with Si. The doping concentrations of Si are set to about 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 1×10²⁰/cm³ (e.g., 5×10¹⁸/cm³).

The buffer layer 2 a is formed to a thickness of about 0.1 μm, the electron transit layer 2 b is formed to a thickness of about 3 μm, the intermediate layer 2 c is formed to a thickness of about 5 nm, the electron supply layer 2 d is formed to a thickness of about 20 nm with an Al ratio of, e.g., about 0.2 to 0.3, and the cap layer 2 e is formed to a thickness of about 10 nm.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a device isolation structure 3 is formed.

More specifically, for example, argon (Ar) is injected into a device isolation region of the compound semiconductor layer 2. With this process, the device isolation structure 3 is formed at superficial portions of the compound semiconductor layer 2 and SiC substrate 1. The device isolation structure 3 defines an active region on the compound semiconductor layer 2.

Note that the device isolation may be performed by, e.g., shallow trench isolation (STI) instead of the injection.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, a source electrode 4 and a drain electrode 5 are formed.

More specifically, electrode grooves 2A and 2B are first formed in the cap layer 2 e, at positions where a source electrode and a drain electrode are to be formed at a surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2.

A resist mask having openings corresponding to the positions where the source electrode and drain electrode are to be formed at the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is formed. The cap layer 2 e is partially removed by dry etching using the resist mask. With these processes, the electrode grooves 2A and 2B are formed. An inert gas such as Ar and a chlorinated gas such as Cl.sub.2 are used as etching gases in the dry etching. The electrode grooves may be formed by dry-etching the compound semiconductor layer 2 so as to penetrate the cap layer 2 e and reach a superficial portion of the electron supply layer 2 d.

Ti and Al are used as examples of an electrode material. For example, a double-layer resist with an overhang structure suitable for evaporation or lift-off is used to form the electrodes. The resist is applied to the compound semiconductor layer 2 to form the resist mask that is open so as to expose the electrode grooves 2A and 2B. Ti and Al are deposited while using the resist mask. The thickness of Ti is set to about 20 nm, and the thickness of Al is set to about 200 nm. The resist mask with the overhang structure and Ti and Al deposited on the resist mask are removed by lift-off. After that, the SiC substrate 1 is heat-treated at a temperature of about 550° C. in, for example, a nitrogen atmosphere. Remaining Ti and Al are made to form an ohmic contact with the electron supply layer 2 d. With the above-described processes, the source electrode 4 and drain electrode 5, which plug the electrode grooves 2A and 2B with lower portions of Ti and Al, are formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a passivation film 6 for protecting the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is formed.

More specifically, silicon nitride (a silicon nitride) is deposited across the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 to a thickness of, e.g., about 50 nm by plasma CVD or the like to form the passivation film 6. A silicon nitride is a stable insulator and is suitably used for a protective film of the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a part of the passivation film 6.

In the passivation film 6, the percentage of nitrogen (N) vacancies of a lower layer portion 6 a in contact with the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is higher than that of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition (Si.sub.3N.sub.4). The passivation film 6 is formed so as to drastically and continuously approach stoichiometric condition toward the top. Note that although a boundary between the lower layer portion 6 a and the other portion is illustrated by a broken line for the sake of convenience, there is no clear boundary. If silicon nitride has “a high percentage of N vacancies,” this means in the present embodiment that the silicon nitride has a high composition ratio of Si. The percentage of N vacancies of the lower layer portion 6 a to N atoms of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition is not more than 50% (X in Si₃N_(x) is not more than 2). If a portion extending downward from a point where the percentage of N vacancies is 50% in a thickness direction of the passivation film 6 is defined as the lower layer portion 6 a, the thickness of the lower layer portion 6 a is about 2 to 5 nm. If the thickness of the lower layer portion 6 a is less than 2 nm, the lower layer portion cannot provide sufficient efficacy (to be described later). If the thickness of the lower layer portion 6 a is more than nm, a gate leak current is larger. Since the thickness of the lower layer portion 6 a is set to about 2 to 5 nm, the lower layer portion can provide sufficient efficacy (to be described later) without increasing a gate leak current. In the present embodiment, the lower layer portion 6 a is formed so as to have the percentage of N vacancies to N atoms of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition set to, e.g., about 50% and a thickness of, e.g., about 3 nm.

To form the passivation film 6, for example, SiH.sub.4 gas and N.sub.2 gas are supplied at a flow rate of 5 sccm and at a flow rate of 100 sccm, respectively, into a film forming chamber for plasma CVD before electric discharge. RF waves (13.56 MHz, 50 W) are applied through a shower head, e.g., 30 sec after the start of the introduction of SiH₄ gas and N₂ gas. N₂ gas starts to be supplied at a flow rate of 200 sccm within 2 sec of the start of the introduction of SiH₄ gas (the flow rate of 200 sccm includes the earlier flow rate of 100 sccm).

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an opening 6 b is formed in the passivation film 6.

More specifically, a resist is first applied to the entire surface of the passivation film 6. The resist is subjected to exposure for an opening having a width of, e.g., 600 nm by the UV method and is developed. With these processes, a resist mask 10 having an opening 10 a is formed.

The passivation film 6 is wet-etched by using the resist mask 10. The wet etching is performed under the condition that the etching rate at the lower layer portion 6 a of the passivation film 6 is lower than that at the other portion. A buffer solution which is a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride is used as an etchant. With the wet etching, a portion exposed in the opening 10 a of the passivation film 6 is etched, and the opening 6 b is formed in the passivation film 6.

FIG. 5 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, the opening 6 b of the passivation film 6.

The passivation film 6 is isotropically etched by the wet etching, and the opening 6 b is formed so as to have a forward tapered side surface. Since the etching rate at the lower layer portion 6 a is lower than that at the other portion at the opening 6 b, a projecting portion 6 c projecting from the side surface of the opening 6 b is formed at the lower layer portion 6 a. The projecting portion 6 c is formed according to the etching rates so as to have a width of, e.g., about 10 nm. Since the projecting portion 6 c is a part of the lower layer portion 6 a and has a high percentage of N vacancies, silicon nitride at the projecting portion 6 c is oxidized to form silicon oxynitride.

The resist mask 10 is removed by ashing using oxygen plasma or wet treatment using a drug solution.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, a resist mask 13 for gate formation is formed.

More specifically, a lower layer resist 11 (e.g., the product named PMGI, manufactured by MicroChem Corp., USA) and an upper layer resist 12 (e.g., the product named SUMIRESIST PFI32-A8, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) are applied to the entire surface by, e.g., spin coating. An opening 12 a, e.g., about 1.5 μm long is formed in the upper layer resist 12 by UV exposure. The lower layer resist 11 is wet-etched with an alkaline developer by using the upper layer resist 12 as a mask to form an opening 11 a in the lower layer resist 11. With the above-described processes, the resist mask 13 including the lower layer resist 11 having the opening 11 a and the upper layer resist 12 having the opening 12 a is formed. In the resist mask 13, an opening constituted by the openings 11 a and 12 a communicating with each other is denoted by reference characters 13 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a gate electrode 7 is formed.

More specifically, a gate metal (Ni with a thickness of about 10 nm and Au with a thickness of about 300 nm) is vapor-deposited across the surface of the resist mask 13 and in the opening 13 a by using the resist mask 13 as a mask. With this process, the gate electrode 7 is formed so as to plug the opening 6 b of the passivation film 6 with the gate metal and form a Schottky contact with the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the resist mask 13 is removed.

More specifically, the SiC substrate 1 is soaked in N-methylpyrrolidinone heated to 80° C., and the resist mask 13 and unnecessary portions of the gate metal are removed by lift-off. A lower portion of the gate electrode 7 forms a Schottky contact with the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 in the opening 6 b, and an upper portion is formed so as to be wider than the opening 6 b and has an overhanging shape.

After steps such as electrical connection of the source electrode 4 and drain electrode 5 and the gate electrode 7, a Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT is formed.

Effects of the Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the present embodiment will be described below.

A conventional passivation film is of uniform elemental composition from an interface with a compound semiconductor layer to an upper surface of the passivation film. An opening in the passivation film where a gate electrode is to be formed has a side surface of monotonous shape and is of homogenous elemental composition.

In the AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the present embodiment, the passivation film 6 including the lower layer portion 6 a made of silicon nitride with many N vacancies (the percentage of which to N atoms of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition is not less than 50%) and having a very small thickness (not more than 5 nm) is formed so as to be in contact with the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2. In the passivation film 6, the percentage of N vacancies of the lower layer portion 6 a is higher than that of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition (Si₃N₄). The passivation film 6 is formed so as to drastically and continuously approach stoichiometric condition toward the top. The lower layer portion 6 a that is a silicon nitride film with many N vacancies, i.e., a silicon nitride film with many positive charges lowers the energy of the conduction band at the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 to reduce access resistance. The efficacy in lowering the energy of the conduction band blocks the influence of an electron trap at the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 to reduce current collapse.

In the opening 6 b of the passivation film 6 where the gate electrode 7 as a Schottky electrode is formed, a part of the lower layer portion 6 a is formed as the projecting portion 6 c projecting from the side surface of the opening 6 b toward a Schottky interface, due to the low etching rate at the lower layer portion 6 a having many N vacancies and the very small thickness. Since the projecting portion 6 c has many N vacancies and is chemically active, the projecting portion 6 c is highly susceptible to oxidation. The projecting portion 6 c is likely to turn into a silicon oxynitride film and exhibits high insulation performance. The presence of the projecting portion 6 c reduces electric field concentration on an edge of the gate electrode 7, inhibits the gate electrode 7 from being broken down due to a high electric field, and contributes to enhancement of the reliability of the device.

Characteristics of three terminals of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the present embodiment were checked on the basis of comparison with the AlGaN/GaN HEMT with the above-described conventional structure including the conventional passivation film. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate results of the checking. FIG. 6A illustrates the result of the conventional structure while FIG. 6B illustrates the result of the present embodiment.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6A and 6B, the present embodiment was confirmed to have achieved significant improvement in terms of current collapse over the conventional structure. The present embodiment was also confirmed to have little change in gate current at a high-temperature current test and not to have a breakdown.

As has been described above, according to the present embodiment, a highly reliable Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage is achieved.

Second Embodiment

A Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the second embodiment will be described below. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of a passivation film. The same components and the like as those of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic sectional views illustrating main steps of a method for manufacturing the Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the second embodiment.

The steps in FIGS. 1A to 1C according to the first embodiment are first performed to form a source electrode 4 and a drain electrode 5 on a compound semiconductor layer 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, a passivation film 21 for protecting a surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is formed.

More specifically, silicon nitride (a silicon nitride) is deposited across the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 to a thickness of, e.g., about 50 nm by plasma CVD or the like to form the passivation film 21. A silicon nitride is a stable insulator and is suitably used for a protective film of the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a part of the passivation film 21.

In the passivation film 21, a lower layer portion 21 a in contact with the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 is made of polysilicon. The passivation film 21 is formed so as to drastically and continuously approach stoichiometric condition (Si₃N₄) toward the top. Note that although a boundary between the lower layer portion 21 a and the other portion is illustrated by a broken line for the sake of convenience, there may be no clear boundary. The thickness of the lower layer portion 21 a is about 2 to 5 nm. If the thickness of the lower layer portion 21 a is less than 2 nm, the lower layer portion cannot provide sufficient efficacy (to be described later). If the thickness of the lower layer portion 21 a is more than 5 nm, a gate leak current is larger. Since the thickness of the lower layer portion 21 a is set to about 2 to 5 nm, the lower layer portion can provide sufficient efficacy (to be described later) without increasing a gate leak current. In the present embodiment, the lower layer portion 21 a is formed so as to have a thickness of, e.g., about 3 nm.

To form the passivation film 21, for example, SiH.sub.4 gas is supplied into a film forming chamber for plasma CVD at a flow rate of 5 sccm before electric discharge. RF waves (13.56 MHz, 50 W) are applied through a shower head, e.g., 30 sec after the start of the introduction of SiH₄ gas. N₂ gas starts to be supplied at a flow rate of 200 sccm within 2 sec of the start of the introduction of SiH₄ gas.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, an opening 21 b is formed in the passivation film 21.

More specifically, a resist is first applied to the entire surface of the passivation film 21. The resist is subjected to exposure for an opening having a width of, e.g., 600 nm by the UV method and is developed. With these processes, a resist mask 20 having an opening 20 a is formed.

The passivation film 21 is wet-etched by using the resist mask 20. The wet etching is performed under the condition that the etching rate at the lower layer portion 21 a of the passivation film 21 is lower than that at the other portion. A buffer solution which is a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride is used as an etchant. With the wet etching, a portion exposed in the opening 20 a of the passivation film 21 is etched, and the opening 21 b is formed in the passivation film 21.

FIG. 9 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, the opening 21 b of the passivation film 21.

The passivation film 21 is isotropically etched by the wet etching, and the opening 21 b is formed so as to have a forward tapered side surface. Since the etching rate at the lower layer portion 21 a is lower than that at the other portion at the opening 21 b, a projecting portion 21 c projecting from the side surface of the opening 21 b is formed at the lower layer portion 21 a. The projecting portion 21 c is formed according to the etching rates so as to have a width of, e.g., about 10 nm. Since the projecting portion 21 c is a part of the lower layer portion 21 a and is made of polysilicon likely to be oxidized, polysilicon at the projecting portion 21 c is oxidized to form silicon oxide.

The resist mask 20 is removed by ashing using oxygen plasma or wet treatment using a drug solution.

The steps in FIGS. 2C to 3B according to the first embodiment are performed to obtain a structure in FIG. 7C.

After steps such as electrical connection of the source electrode 4 and drain electrode 5 and the gate electrode 7, a Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT is formed.

Effects of the Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the present embodiment will be described below.

In the AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the present embodiment, the passivation film 21 including the lower layer portion 21 a made of polysilicon and having a very small thickness (not more than 5 nm) is formed so as to be in contact with the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2. The passivation film 21 is formed so as to drastically and continuously approach stoichiometric condition from the lower layer portion 21 a made of polysilicon toward the top. The lower layer portion 21 a made of polysilicon lowers the energy of the conduction band at the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 to reduce access resistance. The efficacy in lowering the energy of the conduction band blocks the influence of an electron trap at the surface of the compound semiconductor layer 2 to reduce current collapse.

In the opening 21 b of the passivation film 21 where the gate electrode 7 as a Schottky electrode is formed, a part of the lower layer portion 21 a is formed as the projecting portion 21 c projecting from the side surface of the opening 21 b toward a Schottky interface, due to the low etching rate at the lower layer portion 21 a made of polysilicon and having the very small thickness. Since the projecting portion 21 c is made of polysilicon and is highly susceptible to oxidation, the projecting portion 21 c is likely to turn into a silicon oxynitride film and exhibits high insulation performance. The presence of the projecting portion 21 c reduces electric field concentration on an edge of the gate electrode 7, inhibits the gate electrode 7 from being broken down due to a high electric field, and contributes to enhancement of the reliability of the device.

Characteristics of three terminals of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the present embodiment were checked on the basis of comparison with the AlGaN/GaN HEMT with the above-described conventional structure including the conventional passivation film. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate results of the checking. FIG. 10A illustrates the result of the conventional structure while FIG. 10B illustrates the result of the present embodiment.

As can be seen from FIGS. 10A and 10B, the present embodiment was confirmed to have achieved significant improvement in terms of current collapse over the conventional structure. The present embodiment was also confirmed to have little change in gate current at a high-temperature current test and not to have a breakdown.

As has been described above, according to the present embodiment, a highly reliable Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage is achieved.

Third Embodiment

The present embodiment discloses a power supply unit including an AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a connection diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the power supply unit according to the third embodiment.

The power supply unit according to the present embodiment includes a high-voltage primary circuit 31, a low-voltage secondary circuit 32, and a transformer 33 which is disposed between the primary circuit 31 and the secondary circuit 32.

The primary circuit 31 includes an alternating-current power supply 34, a so-called bridge rectifier circuit 35, and a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) switching devices 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, and 36 d. The bridge rectifier circuit 35 includes a switching device 36 e.

The secondary circuit 32 includes a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) switching devices 37 a, 37 b, and 37 c.

In the present embodiment, an AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment is used as each of the switching devices 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, and 36 e of the primary circuit 31. In contrast, a normal MISFET using silicon is used as each of the switching devices 37 a, 37 b, and 37 c of the secondary circuit 32.

In the present embodiment, a highly reliable Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage is applied to a high-voltage circuit. This configuration achieves a highly reliable, high-power supply circuit.

Fourth Embodiment

The present embodiment discloses a high-frequency amplifier to which an AlGaN/GaN

HEMT according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment is applied.

FIG. 12 is a connection diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the high-frequency amplifier according to the fourth embodiment.

The high-frequency amplifier according to the present embodiment includes a digital predistortion circuit 41, mixers 42 a and 42 b, and a power amplifier 43.

The digital predistortion circuit 41 is intended to compensate for nonlinear distortion of an input signal. The mixer 42 a is intended to mix the input signal whose nonlinear distortion has been compensated for and an AC signal. The power amplifier 43 is intended to amplify the input signal mixed with the AC signal and includes an AlGaN/GaN HEMT according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Note that the high-frequency amplifier in FIG. 12 is configured so as to be capable of mixing a signal on the output side with an AC signal in the mixer 42 b and sending out the mixed signal to the digital predistortion circuit 41 by, e.g., flipping a switch.

In the present embodiment, a highly reliable Schottky AlGaN/GaN HEMT which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage is applied to a high-frequency amplifier. This configuration achieves a highly reliable, high-voltage high-frequency amplifier.

Other Embodiments

The first to fourth embodiments illustrate an AlGaN/GaN HEMT as a compound semiconductor device. The embodiments can be applied to the HEMTs below as a compound semiconductor device, in addition to an AlGaN/GaN HEMT.

Another HEMT Example 1

The present example discloses an InAlN/GaN HEMT as a compound semiconductor device.

InAlN and GaN are compound semiconductors whose lattice constants can be made closer to each other by changing the composition. In the first to fourth embodiments described above, an electron transit layer is formed from i-GaN, an intermediate layer is formed from AlN, an electron supply layer is formed from n-InAlN, and a cap layer is formed from n-GaN. Since piezoelectric polarization hardly occurs in this case, two-dimensional electron gas is generated mainly due to spontaneous polarization of InAlN.

According to the present example, a highly reliable Schottky InAlN/GaN HEMT which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage is achieved, like the above-described AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.

Another HEMT Example 2

The present example discloses an InAlGaN/GaN HEMT as a compound semiconductor device.

GaN and InAlGaN are compound semiconductors, and the lattice constant of the latter can be made lower than that of the former by changing the composition. In the first to fourth embodiments, an electron transit layer is formed from i-GaN, an intermediate layer is formed from i-InAlGaN, an electron supply layer is formed from n-InAlGaN, and a cap layer is formed from n-GaN.

According to the present example, a highly reliable Schottky InAlN/GaN HEMT which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage, like the above-described AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.

According to the above-described embodiments, a highly reliable compound semiconductor device which achieves high voltage and high power by reducing electric field concentration on an electrode edge to ensure inhibition of deterioration in device characteristics as well as increasing operating voltage is achieved.

All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound semiconductor device, comprising: a compound semiconductor layer; a silicon nitride protective film having an opening and covering the compound semiconductor layer; and an electrode formed on the compound semiconductor layer so as to plug the opening, wherein a lower layer portion of the protective film includes a projecting portion projecting from a side surface of the opening.
 2. The compound semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the protective film is formed such that the percentage of nitrogen vacancies of the lower layer portion is higher than the percentage of nitrogen vacancies of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition and such that the protective film approaches stoichiometric condition toward a top.
 3. The compound semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein the percentage of nitrogen vacancies of the lower layer portion in the protective film to N atoms of silicon nitride in stoichiometric condition is not more than 50%.
 4. The compound semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the protective film is formed such that the lower layer portion is made of polysilicon and such that the protective film approaches stoichiometric condition toward a top.
 5. The compound semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion in the protective film is oxidized.
 6. The compound semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein thickness of the lower layer portion in the protective film has a value within the range of 2 to 5 nm.
 7. The compound semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the side surface of the opening in the protective film is forward tapered.
 8. A power supply circuit, comprising: a transformer; and a high-voltage circuit and a low-voltage circuit on two respective sides of the transformer, the high-voltage circuit comprising: a transistor, the transistor comprising: a compound semiconductor layer, a silicon nitride protective film having an opening and covering the compound semiconductor layer, and an electrode formed on the compound semiconductor layer so as to plug the opening, wherein a lower layer portion in the protective film includes a projecting portion projecting from a side surface of the opening. 